The Grand Sturdy 500 Sedan Variodeck is the largest sedan from Linssen. The shipyard describes its latest boat as a "luxury traveller" - with a practical clearance height of just 2.75 m. It continues: "With the Grand Sturdy 500 Sedan Variodeck, you can experience many comfortable boat trips, even across the cruising paradise of France." This means that the Sedan version is ideal for canals, lakes and rivers. The latter can also include the Rhine, without the need for a so-called Rhine patent, as the bathing platform is attached and is not part of the hull length, which is therefore less than 15 metres long. However, good inland waterway capability does not mean that you are less suitable for travelling at sea. This is demonstrated by the twin engines, which still allow the boat to continue its journey and reach the port of refuge if one engine fails. The boat also has CE "B" certification, and the "Magnus Master" stabilisation system is available as an option - the installation preparation for this even comes as standard.
Need more information? The test of the Linssen Grand Sturdy 500 Sedan Variodeck with technical data and more pictures can be found in BOOTE issue 07/2021 from 16/06/2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
I enter the boat via the jetty and the side entrances with ladder. On the wide side deck, non-slip structures and the high railing provide the necessary safety of movement, while handrails on the cabin roof do the rest. There is a cosy seating area in the open cockpit, the special feature being the side panels (tarpaulin fabric) of the hardtop. They can be retracted electrically after loosening a few buttons and opening zips and are then stowed in the cabin roof pillars (behind flaps). If you want to turn the cockpit and saloon into a large communal area, open the four-part rear glass door. I particularly liked the injury-preventing caps on the corners of the door elements. In the saloon, there is a seating area on the port side, the rear of which can be turned 180 degrees towards the cockpit. On the other side, there is a sideboard with a tabletop where two people can comfortably eat breakfast, for example. Meals can be prepared in a fully equipped galley, in which many imaginative storage spaces are integrated. Overall, the boat has numerous practical storage options; these can also be found under the companionway leading to the cabins, for example. The owner's cabin with double berth (with slatted frame) is located in the bow, from where a toilet room and a separate shower room are accessible. The guest cabin is different: it is accessed from the vestibule. Diagonally opposite is the entrance area to the centre cabin, which is usually equipped with two single bunks that can be pushed together. However, other berth solutions are also possible - for example with just one berth.
In the saloon, the helm station is located under a large Webasto sun canopy. A side door is installed right next to the skipper's seat so that he always has good contact with the crew on the side deck when mooring or can use the centre cleat himself.
Need more information? The test of the Linssen Grand Sturdy 500 Sedan Variodeck with technical data and more pictures can be found in BOOTE issue 07/2021 from 16/06/2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
A bow and a stern thruster (the latter at an extra charge) make mooring and casting off easier on our test lines. For normal manoeuvres, the skipper can either use the steering wheel, a steering lever (from Raymarine) or switch on the autopilot. The driver operates the throttle and gearstick using the smooth-running EVC gearstick from Volvo Penta. If you push the levers all the way forwards (maximum speed 9.5 knots) and make a tight turn, the boat remains almost horizontal and makes smooth turns. At a speed of just over 2000 rpm, the Linssen cruises at around 7 knots and has an impressive range of around 700 nm (plus 15% reserve). The noise level at cruising speed is a pleasant 62 dB/A. This is due to the good encapsulation of the two diesels, which can be reached via flaps in the saloon floor. The technicians down there did just as good a job as the boat builders on the hull.
Conclusion
The Linssen Grand Sturdy 500 Sedan Variodeck is a cruising boat that offers plenty of space and comfort for two people, but can also easily carry two guests. It is just as suitable for travelling at sea as it is on inland waterways. You can rely on Linssen quality for the finish and installations.
